Journal

Mixing Commercial and Residential? Here’s Where Things Get Tricky

November 6, 2025  |  Amy Youngblood Interiors, durability, functionality, residential vs commercial materials
MDC Wall
MDC Wall

Think of it like shoes — work boots at home? Fine. Slippers at work? Not so much. We see commercial products being used in residential settings from time to time and even recommend certain products in some applications. Some commercial products work great in a residential setting and add extra durability and are low maintenance materials. For example, we love using commercial wallpapers in residential spaces because they are extremely durable, can be washed easily, and are more resistant to scuffs and water. This is especially beneficial for high traffic or moisture filled areas like bathrooms. We are also seeing more people who want LVP (luxury vinyl plank) flooring because of how durable, scratch resistant, and waterproof the material is.  

 

Now on the reverse end, residential products cannot always be used in commercial spaces. Commercial projects must meet more rigorous building codes for safety, durability, and fire codes. Commercial spaces have fire ratings that are classified based on the level of fire resistance that is required, so materials that are used for various applications like wall treatments, floors, and ceilings require materials that have a rating that is determined by their flame spread index. Durability is also a big component since commercial spaces typically are much higher traffic areas than residential homes. The materials and selections have to hold up to more use and wear and tear requiring higher durability products. 

 

In short, there are certainly many reasons for using some commercially rated products in residential settings, but commercial spaces require high durability products that withstand high traffic and also meet the more complicated building codes. 


Be sure to reach out for assistance with your next residential or commercial design project.